BREAKING NEWS: Rory McIlroy Under Fire for Post-Round Behavior at… View Detail

A Brutal Course and Rising Tensions

Oakmont Country Club has proven its legendary toughness yet again, as the 2025 U.S. Open has quickly become a mental battlefield. With lightning-fast greens and punishing rough, even the game’s best are being pushed to the brink—including Rory McIlroy. After a double-bogey start in round two, McIlroy unleashed visible frustration, throwing a club on the 12th hole and smashing a tee‑marker on the 17th . His emotional turmoil culminated in a late birdie on 18, narrowly securing his weekend spot at +6

Frustration Boils Over

These outbursts sparked widespread criticism. Fans and commentators alike expressed concern at what they saw as unprofessional and unsportsmanlike conduct. Social media reactions ranged from calls for disciplinary action to admonishments labeling his conduct “despicable”  Sky Sports commentator Nick Dougherty acknowledged the depth of his frustration, remarking, “He’s not himself right now”

Media Silence and Growing Disconnect

Adding fuel to the fire, McIlroy has largely remained silent with the media during this Open. He sat out all interviews during the PGA Championship and skipped the first two rounds at Oakmont. After shooting a 74 in round three, McIlroy broke his silence with a brisk assessment: “pretty average”  When pressed, he explained this silence was not performance-based, but rather a deliberate response to media frustrations—some stemming from coverage surrounding a non‑conforming driver report at the PGA “I’ve earned the right to do whatever I want,” he said, framing the decision as principled and within his rights under PGA Tour policy

Search for Motivation After Grand Slam High

Since completing the storied career Grand Slam at the Masters this April—his third PGA Tour win this year—McIlroy hasn’t found the same zeal. He described feeling “flat” and dispirited, citing waning motivation post-Masters, followed by a disappointing T47 at the PGA and a missed cut at the Canadian Open  He admitted that some of his on-course detachment was intentional. “It’s much easier being on the cut line when you don’t really care if you’re here for the weekend or not,” he remarked, reflecting a deeper emotional exhaustion

The Broader Backlash

Critics argue that repeated tantrums undermine the professionalism expected of top athletes. Some fans demanded McIlroy be suspended from future tournaments  Still, voices within golf media contextually softened the view—Oakmont is notoriously merciless, and even top pros like Scottie Scheffler have shown visible frustration

As the weekend rounds loom, McIlroy remains at +10, tied around 45th place—well off the leaders but safely in contention  With his attitude on display and media bridges strained, his future at Oakmont hinges on two key questions: Can he reset mentally to produce a solid finale? And will his standoff with the media resolve—whether through renewed engagement or deeper withdrawal?

Final Thoughts

Rory McIlroy’s U.S. Open has evolved into a narrative about emotional resilience and the mental toll of greatness. His club-flinging and media blackout symbolize deeper unrest—a golfer wrestling with post-peak complacency and media intrusion. Whether this weekend sees a return to competitive fire—or further detachment—McIlroy’s behavior at Oakmont has already sparked significant debate about temperament, accountability, and what it truly costs to stay at the top.